Device Feedback Sensor Testing Methodology For Humidity And Temperature Probes

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention is an algorithmic method means for testing the performance characteristics of humidity and temperature probes i.e. accuracy, stability, repeatability of humidity and temperature sensor probes over a user selected dynamic range that is easily programmable by and end user. Further, said testing is accomplished and completed by using a specially designed humidity and temperature test chamber, that is traceable to NIST (National Institute of Science and Technology). Ongoing and final testing results are made visible for study by an end user via computer display and there is printout availability. Further, testing in said special chamber utilizes novel method means for probe attachment to said chamber and control thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of humidity and temperature probe testing and consequently probe calibration is currently occupied with methodologies of testing specific probes that are germane, as probe specific to a product humidity/temperature test chamber device means. This is problematic when a user of said humidity/temperature chamber wants or is asked to perform tests on probes foreign to said specific chamber.

Further the field is represented by only a few companies like humidity/temperature chambers manufactured and marketed by Rotronics of Switzerland. These products are probe specific and cater only to the sensor probes manufactured by the parent company. The present invention also teaches that within its inherent novelty, there is the novel feature and capability of performing probe sensor testing on any type of probe that may or may not be specifically designed for a particular chamber that is germane to the present invention's humidity chamber device means. An alternative and improvement over the prior art limitations is that of present invention, namely the humidity and temperature of AMP Design Solutions of the USA.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention and preferred embodiments, relates to an environmental humidity and temperature test chamber system means and methodology means of providing an precise, accurate, and convenient method means for an end user to test a variety and plurality of humidity and temperature probes that may or may not be germane to said present invention's humidity/temperature test chamber environment means.

The present invention teaches that a precise and accurate test method means is available by said present invention's open loop test probe algorithmic device method means and a closed loop environment test chamber with controlled relative humidity and temperature means.

The present invention also teaches that within its inherent novelty, there is the novel feature and capability of performing probe sensor testing on any type of probe that may or may not be specifically designed for a particular chamber that is germane to the present invention's humidity chamber device means.

The novelty of said present invention is in the preferred embodiments of utilizing algorithmic method means for a designated ramping up and down of both relative humidity and temperature ranges set by an operator, but not limited to a ramp configuration, for a specific probe test set of parameters that are congruent with said probe, as suggested by the manufacturer.

A further object of said present invention is of an embodiment that will have the capability of accommodating both a plurality of current actuated and voltage actuated probes.

Another object of said resent invention is of an embodiment that will provide data transfer and instant updating to an external computer device means for screen display of test chamber internal relative humidity and temperature readings from a NIST (National Institute of Science and Technology) traceable system probe that is displayed and referenced against a screen displayed set of probe-under-test relative humidity and temperature parameters. Further, said parameter test proceedings can be accessed as printout copy.

Another object of said present invention is that said external computer runs the desired end user experiments, and it controls said test chamber relative humidity and temperature parameters as well as reading the DFB (Device Feed Back) test probe data and records it.

Another object of said present invention is for precise maintaining of chamber generated relative humidity and temperature conditions, within said internal test chamber compartment, with the minimum of parameter drift. This feature combined with the high speed relative humidity and temperature parameter adjustment and detection allows for accurate test data reading and recording. An all important feature when production line testing is introduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the block diagram of the main embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1A, shows initial computer screen window test report user input information.

FIG. 2 shows a typical test computer screen window of chamber RH and T parameters and Device Feedback probe parameters as well as the chamber dew point condition, both as instantaneous numerical values and as graphical time plots.

FIG. 3 shows two different typical end user parameter range test programs entered and display in a computer screen window.

FIG. 4 shows a screen window chart scale selection parameter set, which is chosen by an end user.

FIG. 5 shows a computer screen window of an end user device set up selection for interfacing to say computer.

FIG. 6 shows a computer screen window that is the end user selected Data Feedback probe set up and instruction set for said probe connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of said present invention, since the scope of said present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

An embodiment of the present invention 100 and its inherent novel features are shown in FIG. 1; wherein a strategically placed internal relative humidity and temperature controlled and fixed volume air test chamber compartment means 101 is situated within a system enclosure means along with all electrical and electronic components and other hardware device means. Said internal test chamber device means 101 contains, and is in communication with, a NIST (National Institute of no Science and Technology) traceable reference probe sub system device means 129R for relative humidity and temperature referencing. Further, there is an external window that contains a plurality of probe entry orifices that are air sealed-upon-entry type 102, 103, 104, 105 that each can receive and is in communication with a test probe or a plurality of test probes into said test chamber 101. Another component device means in thermal communications with said test chamber 101 is a Peltier, but not limited to a Peltier device means, thermal transfer device means 106 that remains in thermal communication with said test chamber 101, heat sink 107 and in electrical communication with Peltier, but not limited to a Peltier device means, device driver means 108. Said Peltier, but not limited to a Peltier device means, device means is also in communication with test chamber temperature readout 120 and external computer 126 via RS485 data connection bus 124, which is converted to RS232 serial bus information by converter 125. The present invention's utilization of said Peltier, but not limited to a Peltier device means, thermal transfer device means, as a method means for generating user designated temperatures within said test chamber, and its inherent operation and theory should be obvious to anyone steeped in the art.

Said present invention 100 utilizes a device method means that precisely generates and maintains a constant or varying end user designated relative humidity and temperature setting or range respectively. Said subsystem device method means for precisely generating and maintaining a constant or varying end user designated relative humidity range is comprised of a desiccate container means 109, an associated air pump 113 in communication with said desiccate container means 109 this comprises an air dryer device means 109, 113. In addition to said air dryer means 109, 113 a humidifier device means is comprised of a heating element 111 in thermal communication with a water reservoir 112 and said water reservoir is in communication with air pump 114.

Further, in its inherent operation to supply relative humidity levels upon command, said dryer 109 and humidifier 110 device and method means are in communication with said test chamber 101 by output conduit tubing 118 that feeds dry desiccated air into said test chamber 101 and air that contains water vapor from humidifier 110 that is in communication with said test chamber 101 by output conduit tubing 118. Said air flow is fed back into said dryer 109 and said humidifier 110 by feedback conduit tubing 119 that are in circuitous communication with said test chamber 101.

Further, said air pump 113 in communication with desiccate container 109 and air pump 114 in communication with humidifier 110 are both in electrical communication with test chamber 101 control indicator 121 and further, are sensed and in communication with eternal computer 126 by means of said algorithms. Both test chamber 101 control indicators are equipped with set point controls 120 s, 121 s to manually set limits and monitor a control setting for a particular relative humidity and temperature range for said test chamber 101.

A humidity or temperature probe device is connected to and is in communication with the externally situated probe supply terminal strip 129 and said terminal strip 129 offers a source of 5 volts positive potential at screw-on section 136, a source of 12 volts positive potential at screw-on section 135, a source of 24 volts positive potential at screw-on section 134, and negative potential at screw-on section 133 for said test probe connection; said probe supply terminal 129 power screw-on connections 136, 135, 134 are for powering various probes under test. There are provisions of screw-on sections for a relative humidity probe or a temperature probe at screw-on terminal section 131, and 132 that are for either a voltage actuated probe or a current actuated probe and the selection for screw-on sections 131, and 132 for voltage or current is determine by selector switch 130. A probe under test is in communication with said terminal strip 129 and said terminal strip 129 is in communication with an external computer 126 by RS485 data bus 124, bus converter 125 that converts the RS485 data to RS232 serial data for computer entry and storage; and said probe under test is in communication with probe data feedback indicators 122 and 123 simultaneously for instant data indication and updating. Said probe data feedback indicators 122, 123 are equipped with set point controls 122 s, 123 s to manually set and monitor a control setting limit for a particular relative humidity and temperature range for a user designated test procedure.

The external computer 126 is used to control the test chamber system 101 in a probe under test “open loop” manner. It commands the test chamber 101 to go to a specific temperature and relative humidity range. Said user defines the concept of an experiment on said eternal computer 126, which has one or a plurality of phases. Said user selects an experiment to run and the computer executes it. Each phase of an experiment defines a start, stop, step and delta time for a temperature and relative humidity range. There are additional parameters that define whether a performance report is generated at the conclusion of each phase and/or at the conclusion of an experiment.

Experiments may also be run as a probe under test “open loop” where at the conclusion of the last phase the system repeats with the first phase. Said experiments and their associated phases are stored in a database on said external computer 126. Convenient end user visualization of test parameters and time plots are available on external computer 126 by a windowed screen environment 127, & 128 for test chamber plots and parameters 127 a, & 128 a and probe time plots and parameters 127 b, & 128 b.

A particular set of embodiments that are algorithms for said present invention is described as a windowed/menu environment that flows through a sequential set of windowed program instructions with user designated data entry. FIG. 1A is a report window 100A for defining the user name 102A, job title 103A, employee ID 104A, specific reference notes 105A, printer name 106A, after which either an apply tick box 107A or a cancel tick box 108A can be selected. Once the apply tick box is selected, said sequence progresses as illustrated in FIG. 2 as the main data monitoring window 200 for monitoring all test chamber instant and current temperature 202 and instant and current relative humidity conditions 201 as well as test chamber temperature time plot 202T and test chamber relative humidity time plot 201H.

Further, the main data monitoring window 200 for monitoring all probe under test instant and current temperature 205 and instant and current relative humidity conditions 204 well as probe under test temperature time plot 205T and probe under test relative humidity time plot 204H. A calculation and displayed time plot 206 for the dew point within said test chamber 101 is also part and parcel to said algorithm embodiment.

The windowed user designated database information parameter settings and accumulated database library is featured in FIG. 3, where two test parameter program runs 300 are compared with available differences for reference illustration. Initially said user has the option of typing in a windowed set of specific test parameters 306 designated as pertinent to said probe under test and further ticking the apply box 307 and done box 308 that in addition stores said parameter set in the parameter library 301, or said user can select a parameter set 302 from the experiment history library 301. Said experiment history library 301 is accumulated from previous user experiments that have been entered in test parameter window section 306. Once a user designated parameter set 302 is selected the add/remove tick box 304 can transfer said parameter name 302 to the test 303 selected command section 305. Selecting the add will enable that selection to be utilized by said algorithm embodiment.

Another embodiment of said resent invention is shown in FIG. 4, where user defined chart scale and time plot line color selection window 400 is with a humidity scale and color selection section 401, a temperature scale and color selection section 402, and a dew point scale and color selection section 403. After selection an apply tick box 404 enables and stores said selection or said selection can be canceled in a cancel box 405.

FIG. 5 shows the featured window for device setup, which includes selection for modbus addresses 501; modbus register locations 502, comm. port configure 503, and temperature unit selection of either degrees F. or degrees C. 504. Post selection for save 505 or cancel 506 is determined by end user.

FIG. 6 details the DFB (data feedback) probe under test setup window 600 for a plurality of selections for a plurality of available temperature and humidity probe products. Available stored library 601 probe setup settings are for probe specific or as shown, generic parameter settings for a voltage actuated probe of zero to 5 volt scale (highlighted as selected) 601 a, generic parameter settings for a voltage actuated probe of zero to 10 volt scale 601 b, generic parameter settings for a current actuated probe of 4 to 20 mA scale 601 c, generic parameter settings for a current actuated probe of zero to 20 mA scale 601 d. Detailed connection instructions for generic probes setup 601 are provided in associated 0 to 5 volt windowed section 602 a, associated 0 to 10 volt windowed section 602 b, associated 4 to 20 mA windowed section 602 c, and associated 0 to 20 mA section 602 d.

Said voltage humidity temperature setting parameters 602 a for said 0 to 5 volt generic voltage actuated probe is that 0 volts represents 0% RH and −40C; and 5 volts represents 100% RH and 60C.

Said voltage humidity temperature setting parameters 602 b for said 0 to 10 volt generic voltage actuated probe is that 0 volts represents 0% RH and −40C; and 10 volts represents 100% RH and 60C.

Said voltage humidity temperature setting parameters for said 4 to 20 mA generic current actuated probe is that 4 mA represents 0% RH and −40C; and 20 mA represents 100% RH and 60C.

Said voltage humidity temperature setting parameters for said 0 to 20 mA generic current actuated probe is that 0 mA represents 0% RH and −40C; and 20 mA represents 100% RH and 60C.

These added improvements and intentions of said present invention are methodologies of improvement over prior art. Said present invention has been described in an illustrated manner and it is to be understood that the terminology employed is intended to be used in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, said present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of said invention. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments of said present invention. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may,” “might,” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means utilizing an closed loop computer algorithm method means for said test chamber and utilizing an open loop computer algorithm method means for said probe under test in communication with said computer device method means comprising: within a system enclosure, a disposed humidity and temperature fixed volume air test chamber environment device means that has disposed and is in communication with an internal NIST (National Institute of Science and Technology) traceable reference humidity and temperature probe means that is in communication with said internal ambient test chamber air volume; and a plurality of probe insert orifices that are “air tight sealed” and disposed on said probe test chamber environment means front windowed chamber door lock device means; and a probe power and signal terminal strip device means disposed on said system enclosure for easy access for connecting a temperature and humidity probe device means that is in communication with said probe power and signal terminal strip member means; and a selection switch device means disposed on probe power and signal terminal strip device means that is utilized for selection of a voltage actuated or current actuated temperature and humidity probe under test; and a readout indicator or a plurality of readout indicators disposed on said system enclosure and in communication with Peltier heat exchanger, but not limited to a Peltier heat exchanger, device driver means and said NIST temperature reference probe device means internal to said test chamber environment and said NIST temperature reference probe device means and readout indicator or plurality thereof is in communication with an external computer for monitoring and data storage; and a readout indicator or a plurality of readout indicators disposed on said system enclosure and in communication with humidifier desiccate container pump device means device means and said NIST humidity reference probe device means internal to said test chamber environment and said readout indicator or plurality thereof is in communication with an external computer for monitoring and data storage; and a readout indicator or a plurality of readout indicators disposed on said system enclosure and in communication with dryer pump device means device means and said NIST humidity reference probe device means internal to said test chamber environment and said NIST humidity reference probe device means and said readout indicator or plurality thereof is in communication with an external computer for monitoring and data storage; and a readout indicator or a plurality of readout indicators disposed on said system enclosure and in communication with probe under test device means device means in communication with humidity probe under test supply power and signal terminal strip and said humidity probe under test supply power and signal terminal strip and readout indicator or plurality thereof is in communication with an external computer for setting parameter value input, monitoring, and data storage; and a readout indicator or a plurality of readout indicators disposed on said system enclosure and in communication with probe under test device means device means in communication with temperature probe under test supply power and signal terminal strip and said temperature probe under test supply power and signal terminal strip and readout indicator or plurality thereof is in communication with an external computer for setting parameter value input, monitoring, and data storage; and an external computer in communication with said test chamber system means utilizing computer algorithms with a windowed environment.
 2. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein external computer utilizes RS485 to RS232 data bus method means for data transfer to and from probe under test and test chamber means.
 3. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a plurality of probe supply voltages are utilized and are disposed on and in communication with said terminal strip disposed on said system enclosure.
 4. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein plurality of voltage or current signal inputs are utilized and are disposed on and in communication with said terminal strip disposed on said system enclosure.
 5. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a windowed user ID and miscellaneous report information is established for experiment record keeping.
 6. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a windowed composite test chamber temperature and relative humidity instant and current values and accumulated time plots are provided for operator study, evaluation, and control; and whereby said time plots are stored and made available for hard copy printouts.
 7. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a windowed composite probe under test temperature and relative humidity instant and current values and accumulated time plots are provided for operator study and evaluation; and whereby said time plots are stored and made available for hard copy printouts.
 8. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a dew point instant and current value and accumulated time plot is provided for operator study and evaluation; and whereby said time plot is stored and made available for hard copy printout.
 9. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a windowed managed experiment database that receives windowed environment data entry for test chamber control parameters either from an accumulated library data base or operator designated parameter data entry; and further said operator data entry can be utilized as stored database library entry.
 10. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a windowed managed experiment database that receives windowed environment data entry for probe under test monitoring and can be utilized as stored database library entry for a specific probe history record or a plurality of probe history records.
 11. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a user or operator designated or auto scaling windowed time plot chart scale selection means is utilized as a method means for color identifying various time plot chart lines.
 12. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein data bus, modbus, and communications port entry is utilized for device setup procedures; and modbus register locations and temperature unit designated entry is utilized for device setup.
 13. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein a windowed probe hard wired connection instruction set history library is utilized for an operator end user.
 14. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein said system test chamber environment is controlled by said external computer in a closed loop method means; whereby said internal air volume within said test chamber temperature and relative humidity are controlled, monitored, and stored for data library accumulation for future printout and all accomplished by a set of commands from said external computer.
 15. A temperature and humidity DFB (Device Feed Back) probe testing environment chamber device method means as recited in claim 1, wherein said temperature and humidity unknown probe under test has its data values read, monitored, and stored in an open loop method means; whereby said external computer send commands to receive, read, interpret, and record said unknown probe under test for study and evaluation and permanent test results and charts are made available for printout. 